Football Season Opportunity for Weekend Getaways

Posted by Lauren Lorenzen, public relations manager on 09/14/2009

Football Season
Opportunity for Weekend Getaways

Turn a trip to
the big game into a weekend in Central Oklahoma’s Frontier Country

CENTRAL
OKLAHOMA – Central Oklahoma’s Frontier Country is home to two Big XII schools,
the University of Oklahoma in Norman and Oklahoma State University in
Stillwater. Both expect competitive football teams this season and large crowds
filling the stands. Teams continue regular season play through Nov. 28.

Both
in-state and out-of-state tourists can make a weekend trip to a game into a
weekend getaway and see many exciting things from any direction along I-40,
I-35 and I-44.

For fans in Norman, be sure to visit
the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History for a look at rare dinosaurs
and specimens of nature and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art which boasts a massive 8,000-piece
collection of French Impressionism, American painting and sculpture, Native
American art, Icons, Asian art and photography or catch a high quality theatre production or concert at
theSooner Theatre.Also, see a new-release movie in the
luxurious Warren Theatre in Moore, just outside of Norman.

For
those catching an OSU Cowboys’ game in Stillwater you must try out Eskimo Joes
for their famous cheese fries, endorsed by former President Bush, and other specialty items. Make sure you
pick up a T-shirt while you are there.

While
in Stillwater check out one of the fun places to listen to some original Red
Dirt music and live bands, see the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
or Sheerar Museum & Cultural Center and take a campus walking tour or visit
the OSU Herbarium and Vertebrate Collection.

On
your way or coming home from the big game along I-35, be sure to browse the unique
specialty
shops, antiques and fine art galleries in downtown Guthrie or Edmond.

If you are traveling I-40 make sure
to stopover in Okemah at Grape Ranch Winery, just south of the highway and a
short distance off the beaten path, for a taste of Oklahoma wine and their
signature “Frozen Rose.” In Shawnee, visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art for a
look at Native American, Roman, Greek and Egyptian art, including Oklahoma’s
only mummy. Visit the Express Clydesdales Ranch in Yukon and take a ride on
Oklahoma’s only trolley on rails in El Reno, then stick around for an
onion-fried hamburger at one of the local favorites such as Jobe’s, Robert’s,
Sid’s or Johnnie’s.

I-44 is home to Chandler, Davenport
and Stroud where you can explore historic downtowns, mom-and-pop eateries and
antique shopping. Stroud is known as Oklahoma’s Grape and Wine Capital with
several wine tasting rooms and Chandler is home to the new Route 66
Interpretive Center. Nearby, you can book a cozy cabin at Tatanka Ranch for the
remainder of your long weekend getaway.

Another great place to stop and play is at the
crossroads of I-35, I-40 and I-44 in Oklahoma City. Take a cruise along
Bricktown’s scenic canal with Water
Taxi, a fun way to travel through Oklahoma City’s entertainment district
and enjoy the sights and sounds while you pick from one of the many restaurants
such as Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse.

Just 10 miles from downtown, explore
six top attractions in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, home to the Oklahoma
City Zoo, Remington Park, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and
more.

“With three unique museums, a world-class horse-racing facility,
one of the nation’s top zoos and a 20-screen theater complex all located within
two miles of one another at I-35 and I-44, visitors will truly experience a
one-of-a-kind getaway and something for all ages,” said Katie Puckett, Oklahoma
City’s Adventure District coordinator. “Planning a weekend getaway in the
Adventure District is also easy and affordable with different package options
our partner hotel, the Sheraton, has come up with.”

Frontier Country Marketing
Association, a 501 c-6 organization, promotes the economic growth of the
tourism industry in the 12 central counties of Oklahoma. For more
information about Frontier Country, visit www.oktourism.com or call 800-FUN-OKLA.